IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 3 Issue 2, February 2016. www.ijiset.com ISSN 2348 – 7968 Status of Agriculture “A Case Study at Patharpratima Block of South 24 Parganas District” Satyajit Dhara*1, Dr.Ashis Kr. Paul *2 *1st.Assistant Professor, A.J.C.BoseCollege, Kolkata20,[email protected].**2nd. Dr.Ashis Kr. Paul, Professor, Vidyasagar University, Dept of Geography. Paschim Medinipur-721102. Abstract: Thakuran river in the east, Kakdwip and Agriculture is the most important economic Namkhana blocks on the west, Mathurapur 1 and 2 activities of the people of the Indian Sundarban. blocks on its north and Bay of Bengal in the By constructing embankments along the major South.This is one of the largest blocks of West rivers and coastal region on premature land which Bengal consisting of 15 gram panchayats and 87 people reclaimed rice cultivation started here. mouzas. It is entirely rural area.The total area of Patharpratima is the most remote block of South this block is 484.47 square km. According to 2011 24 Parganas district. There are thirteen islands in census the total population of this block is 328769 this block which are criss-crossed by so many tidal and the density of population is 678 persons per rivers. Most People of this block are engaged in sq. Km. Most people of this block adopted agriculture and pisciculture. In the low lying agriculture as their main occupation. Agricultural alluvial soil the farmers are producing mainly rice, activity totally controls the socio-economic status jute and many other crops and vegetables. of the people at this block. Gradually the pressure of population increased a The Study Area: lot on the agricultural land and the natural hazards like embankment breaching, flood, saline water But breaches in embankments change in livelihood intrusion and cyclonic impact also increasing day pattern from land base to water based which has by day. So there is a loss of agricultural significant bearing on the health of the ecosystem. productivity and diversion of agricultural land to The distributaries of the Ganga which criss-cross fish farm land can also be seen. Soil salinity is a this land include Hoogly, Baratala, Saptamukhi, major concern of the farmers. Thus the present Thakuran, Mridanga-Bhanga, Matla, Gosaba, paper reveals the study of the Status of Agriculture bidya, Hatania-Duania, Herobhanga etc. They are of the Patharpratima block. fed by sea tides twice a day.Sea water enters more than 100 km through these estuaries and inundate Key words: - Agriculture, crop diversification, the lowlying plains. Tidal effect, seasonal flooding soil salinity, crop productivity, employment and impact of full moon cause embankment pattern, globalization, livelihood option breaching in all the river banks area. This causes serious damage to agriculture, road, etc. Introduction: Patharpratima block is situated in the southern part of South 24 Parganas district. It is bounded by 239 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 3 Issue 2, February 2016. www.ijiset.com ISSN 2348 – 7968 Objectives of the study :- of field survey farmers perception about the perception about the climate change impact on i)To analyse employment trend in agricultural agriculture also assessed. Ground level reality sector verified by field observation. Cartographic ii)To analyse the trend of production of techniques applied to analyse the statistical data on agricultural crops crop production. iii)To identify the major problems of agriculture Result and Discussion: - iv) To suggest the proper management options for Employment Trend in Agricultural Sector in the development of agricultural activities. Patharpratima Block:- There are 29 blocks in the South 24 Parganas district.In the year 1991 we find that 48.44 percent male population belongs to main workers group where as only 2.84 percent belongs to marginal group. Quite contrasting features can be seen in case of female workers. Only 3.03 percent female falls under the category of main worker where as 9.85 percent female people belongs to marginal workers.Trend of working participation can be seen in 2001 census data. In the Patharpratima block 43.73 percent male population were engaged as main workers. So 4.71 percent decrease of main male workers in the next census. Male marginal workers increased by 8.42 percent in 2001 census .It means that from main workers group , people shifted to marginal group.There was significant change in female main workers group. The female main workers increased by 4.71 percent in the 2001 census than 1991 census.In the 1991 census data we find that the female marginal workers were 9.85 percent and it became in the next census 20.87. So the female marginal workers increased Methodology:- by 11.02 than earlier census. 2011 census we find The present paper is based on the collection of that 42.6 % population are engaged in different primary data collected from the field survey. activities. Secondary data collected from the different offices The main workers in the Patharpratima block had and literatures. On the basis of statistical data, been converted into marginal workers with analysis done to represent the relationship changing nature of climate (Gupta S. And Sarkar population and crop production. During the period 240 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 3 Issue 2, February 2016. www.ijiset.com ISSN 2348 – 7968 Small farmers 7107 Other workers 32.27% Marginal farmers 30780 Main workers 26.65% Bargadars 21394 Marginal workers 15.95% Patta Holders 25031 Non workers 57.4% Agricultural Labourers 43615 G. , Climate Change and Economic Adaptablity of Workers Percentage Total Workers Indian Sundarban, 2014 ). Percentage Occupational composition of the people of Main 48.44 Patharpratima block: - Worker(male) 51.28 Percentage of Total Workers in the Population of Marginal 2.84 the block: worker(male) Main worker (female):- Occupational Main 3.09 Diversification:- worker(female) 12.94 Active participation of male workers can be seen marginal 9.85 in recent times in Patharpratima block. The female worker(female) members have come forward to make a successful (year-1991) alternative economy with the change of environment of Indian Sundarban.A significant number of male workers have left the agricultural - Data source- District Statistical Handbook, South field and joined the alternative occupations.The 24 Parganas (2009) and Census Report, 2011. female members also come out and have been started to workrecently as rented daily labour.At present a greater percentage of female main workers have been added in the agricultural practices. Patharpratima block-(2011 census) -- Cultivator 34.7% Agricultural labour 31.1% House hold workers 1.9% 241 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 3 Issue 2, February 2016. www.ijiset.com ISSN 2348 – 7968 Workers Percentage Total Workers Block is mainly low lying having 61 percent. The Percentage percent of medium and uplands are 26 percent and Main 43.73 11percent respectively. Agriculture in this block Worker(male) depends on monsoon rain Micro irrigation 54.99 Potentials created through rain water harvesting Marginal 11.26 and trapping of ground water in some villages. worker(male) Both Kharif and Rabi crops grow here. Main 8.73 Classification of farming communities based on worker(female) land holding pattern of Patharpratima block is as 29.60 follows :- marginal 20.87 worker(female) (year-2001) belong to marginal and sub marginal farmers who have landholdings less than 1 hectare. Patharpratima GP is completely isolated from from the mainland and surrounded by the rivers Mridangabhanga in the east, Barchara in the North, Saptamukhi in the west and Karjon creek in in the south.This GP is comprised of seven Grampanchayet wise Agricultural Status:- villages viz Madhabnagar, Paschim Dwarakapur, Baradapur, Bhagatpur, Krishnanagar, Dakshin Banashyamnagar Gram Panchayet is located in the Lakshminarayanpur and Dakshin Shibganj.The south eastern side of Patharpratima block within a area is mainly monocropped. During the rainy distance of one km. This GP is comprised of four season soil salinity comes down through natural viz Choto Banashyamnagar, Banashyamnagar, leaching process. Then it becomes favourable for Shibnagar and Gangpur. The area is mainly Aman paddy cultivation. Around 60 percent of this monocropped.The soil contains medium to high area is cultivable. Around 70 percent traditional salinity condition during dry season and it variety aman rice and 30 percent HYV paddy becomes unsuitable for Aman paddy cultivation. grow during kharif and boro season. Around 20 About 80 percent traditional variety and 20 percent of the cultivable land supported with percent HYV paddy cultivated during kharif and irrigation from storage ponds and canals. Betel boro season. With the help of irrigation other rabi vine is the main commercial crop of this GP . crops like winter vegetables. Potato, sunflower. Eighty percent of the households are farmers. Til, chillies etc grown. About 85 percent of the households are farmers. Most of the cultivators 242 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 3 Issue 2, February 2016. www.ijiset.com ISSN 2348 – 7968 Digambarpur Gram Panchayet is located in the G Plot Gram Panchayet is situated in the southern north of Ramganga GP. It is composed of eight most part of Patharpratima block. This GP is villages viz Dakshin Durgapur, Indranarayanpur, completely isolated from the main land and Digambarour, Gurudaspur, Paschim sourrounded by river, creeks and seas.The villages Sridharpur,Uttar Mahendrapur, Parbatipur and are protected by earthern embankments and Ramnagar Abad.The cultivable area is mainly agricultural fields are also protected by the same. mono cropped. The soil possesses low to medium Soil characters vary from one village to another salinity condition during dry season. But in the dry .Medium to high range soil salinity exists in this season soil salinity comes down through natural GP.The area is mainly mono cropped.